Ani DiFranco
with Kristen Ford
The Englert Theater, Iowa City, Iowa • September 10, 2023
On an exciting September evening, The Englert Theater hosted a sold-out performance featuring Ani DiFranco and Kristen Ford. Kristen, a devoted fan and newfound Righteous Babe labelmate of Ani’s, kicked off the evening, setting up the atmosphere for an extraordinary night of music. If you haven’t encountered Kristen’s music before, rest assured she is as adept a songwriter as she is a musician and I, one amongst many, enjoyed every moment of her live performance.
Kristen, performing solo with a mix of interesting effects and a loop pedal, begins the evening with “Here’s to You, Kid,” “Girl in the Mirror,” and “Grey Sky Blue.” She’s masterful in building each piece of her music, and while she is alone on stage, her vocals and instruments fill the air with a sincerely intimate performance. The rest of her set includes “Richest in the World,” “Wild Heart,” and “White Man’s Dream,” which she collaborated on with Ani before leaving the stage to a tremendous round of applause from a theatre of new fans.
After chatting briefly with Kristen at the merch table and making my way back to the front of the theatre, the lights dim, and Ani DiFranco casually takes center stage to an electrified audience, anxious to receive her gift of songwriting. She begins with “Still My Heart” from her 2014 album Allergic to Water, before a trip back to the beginning with “Little Plastic Castles” and “Pixie” from 1998, the title track of the 1996 album Dilate, and “Sorry I Am” from the 1995 album Pretty Girl. Ani’s songwriting and delivery were built for timeless effect as she seemingly relives each of these vignettes, resonating with an undying truthfulness that has made her the iconic artist that she is.
As the audience reciprocates with applause and joyous shouting, Ani continues with songs like “Napoleon,” “Simultaneously,” “The Atom,” and “Everest,” before changing up the stage dynamics and inviting Kristen Ford back into the spotlight. Kristen and Ani perform “Angry Anymore” and “Revolutionary Love,” showcasing not only their musical collaboration but also Kristen’s deep appreciation for Ani and Ani’s belief in Kristen as an artist. Once again, the crowd boisterously applauds Kristen Ford’s talents as she exits the stage, and Ani concludes the evening.
Ani concluded with the songs “Untouchable Face” and “Gravel,” before stepping off stage for a brief pre-encore moment away from the spotlight. Upon returning, she delivered a powerful version of “Joyful Girl” and “Hypnotized,” bringing a fabulous evening of self-expression to a close and leaving the audience with a lesson in the significance of staying true to oneself as an artist.
To stay updated on Kristen Ford’s musical journey, visit kristenfordmusic.com. Additionally, keep an eye out for Ani DiFranco, who is set to make her Broadway debut inHadestown, starting in February 2024.
